Serious Charges Against a Torquay Publican: At the Torquay Petty Sessions on Monday, before L.B. Bowring, Esq., (Chairman), and W. Bridges, Esq., John Drew, landlord of the Star Inn, Higher Union Street, was summoned by Captain Barbor, Superintendent of Police, for having on the 12th September permitted his licensed premise to be the habitual resort of women of ill-fame, and allowing them to remain there longer than was necessary for obtaining reasonable refreshment. Mr. Friend, of Exeter, appeared on behalf of the defendants, and the owner of the premises, Mr. Pinsent, brewer, of Newton Abbot: P.C. Brock, of the C. Division stated that on Saturday, 12th September, from instructions he received, he went to the house of the defendant about seven o’clock in the evening in plain clothes. About a quarter to eight three young girls came in. He very soon saw from their behaviour and language what they were. They were supplied with several glasses of spirits by the landlord and his daughter, and about nine o’clock, one of the women went outside the door with a young man. They went to a cottage close by and shortly afterwards returned. The women remained on the premises until eleven o’clock. The women were named Ellen Spry, Lydia Webber and Fanny Shute. Cross Examined: he saw Ellen Spry supplied with eight glasses of spirit. Mr. Friend, in addressing the Bench on behalf of the defendant, said the proofs against the defendant were very clear and straightforward, and as far as this went, he left the defendant at their mercy. He asked them to confine their judgment simply to the defendant and leave him (Mr. Friend) the opportunity of addressing them on behalf of the owner of the premises. The Bench fined the defendant £2 and endorsed his License. Mr. Friend, on behalf of Mr. Pinsent, said he had made arrangements for the removal of the defendant from the premises at once, as he would be disqualified from again holding a license for a term of five years. It would be necessary too, to give Mr. Pinsent notice of conviction before going into any other cases. The Bench adjourned the other five cases till next Monday for the purpose of giving Mr. Pinsent notice of conviction.
[see also Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Tuesday 20th October 1885]
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901